Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom
Abstract “Designing an effective educational toy” is a research project that emerged from a teaching and learning course designed to facilitate creative engagement both inside and outside the classroom at Wenzhou-Kean University in China. This research study examines the incorporation of design thin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Discover Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00402-z |
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| _version_ | 1832594478172471296 |
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| author | Natalie Houston Ferney Manrique Shi Mo Wang Ruoqian Ji Wenjing Lu Yuting |
| author_facet | Natalie Houston Ferney Manrique Shi Mo Wang Ruoqian Ji Wenjing Lu Yuting |
| author_sort | Natalie Houston |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract “Designing an effective educational toy” is a research project that emerged from a teaching and learning course designed to facilitate creative engagement both inside and outside the classroom at Wenzhou-Kean University in China. This research study examines the incorporation of design thinking concepts in the development of an educational toy by graphic design students. Utilising the ‘Double Diamond Model of Design’, the research methodically progresses through the stages of observation, generation, prototyping, and testing to create a 3D letter-building set with the goal of improving children's educational experiences. The approach prioritises the integration of ideas through iterative design, taking safety into account, involving users, and focusing on instructional value. The key findings emphasise the effective implementation of design principles in developing a product that not only fulfils safety and educational requirements but also provides novel learning experiences. The essay continues by recommending the wider implementation of these concepts in the creation of educational toys to encourage improved learning outcomes and the development of skills in children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-55d1fc585a144ddeb1900f7c4677e0a4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-5525 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-55d1fc585a144ddeb1900f7c4677e0a42025-01-19T12:35:58ZengSpringerDiscover Education2731-55252025-01-014111510.1007/s44217-025-00402-zDesigning an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroomNatalie Houston0Ferney Manrique1Shi Mo2Wang Ruoqian3Ji Wenjing4Lu Yuting5Department of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Wenzhou-Kean UniversityDepartment of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Wenzhou-Kean UniversityDepartment of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Wenzhou-Kean UniversityDepartment of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Wenzhou-Kean UniversityDepartment of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Wenzhou-Kean UniversityDepartment of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Wenzhou-Kean UniversityAbstract “Designing an effective educational toy” is a research project that emerged from a teaching and learning course designed to facilitate creative engagement both inside and outside the classroom at Wenzhou-Kean University in China. This research study examines the incorporation of design thinking concepts in the development of an educational toy by graphic design students. Utilising the ‘Double Diamond Model of Design’, the research methodically progresses through the stages of observation, generation, prototyping, and testing to create a 3D letter-building set with the goal of improving children's educational experiences. The approach prioritises the integration of ideas through iterative design, taking safety into account, involving users, and focusing on instructional value. The key findings emphasise the effective implementation of design principles in developing a product that not only fulfils safety and educational requirements but also provides novel learning experiences. The essay continues by recommending the wider implementation of these concepts in the creation of educational toys to encourage improved learning outcomes and the development of skills in children.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00402-zEducational psychologyEducational toyIterative designDesign-thinkingDesign classroomInnovation |
| spellingShingle | Natalie Houston Ferney Manrique Shi Mo Wang Ruoqian Ji Wenjing Lu Yuting Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom Discover Education Educational psychology Educational toy Iterative design Design-thinking Design classroom Innovation |
| title | Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom |
| title_full | Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom |
| title_fullStr | Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom |
| title_full_unstemmed | Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom |
| title_short | Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom |
| title_sort | designing an effective educational toy incorporating design thinking in the design classroom |
| topic | Educational psychology Educational toy Iterative design Design-thinking Design classroom Innovation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00402-z |
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